Sound dampening device and system

ABSTRACT

A sound dampening device can include a tile body and one or more feet attached to a side of the tile body. The tile body and one or more feet can be formed of a sound dampening material. The one or more feet can be attached to a mounting surface such. When the sound dampening device is mounted to the mounting surface an air gap is formed between the mounting surface and a portion of the side of the tile body which is not covered by the feet.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to noise control, and moreparticularly to sound dampening.

BACKGROUND

Sound dampening involves reducing the amount of sound that escapes anarea. Sound dampening techniques include inserting sound absorbingmaterials in and/or on walls, floors, ceilings, and windows to create asound barrier in which acoustic waves are absorbed instead of reflected.There is an ongoing pursuit of new sound dampening solutions.

SUMMARY

The disclosed sound dampening device and system provide an improved wayto reduce the amount of noise leaving a given area. The device caninclude a tile body formed of a sound dampening material and one or morefeet attached to a side of the tile body, wherein the one or more feetare formed of the sound dampening material. The tile body can beconfigured to mount to a mounting surface via the one or more feet, suchthat the side of the body is parallel to the mounting surface. The oneor more feet can have a thickness that can be configured to provide anair gap between the mounting surface and a portion of the side of thetile body. The device can also include a connecting device configured toattach the device to the mounting surface. A sound dampening system caninclude the device and the mounting surface.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions, examples, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts perspective views of the front and back of a sounddampening device according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts perspective views of the front and back of an alternativeembodiment of a sound dampening device according to the disclosure; and

FIG. 3 depicts perspective views of the front and back of anotheralternative embodiment of a sound dampening device according to thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “tile body” as used herein refers to a three-dimensional shapethat is a flat piece of material that resembles an item used to form acovering on a mounting surface. The “tile body” can be used incombination with any number of tile bodies to cover the mountingsurface. “Tile body” can also be referred to as a “panel” or “acousticpanel.”

The term “mounting surface” as used herein refers to the surface of awall, a floor, a ceiling, a partition, a door, a window, or combinationsthereof, onto which one or more of the disclosed devices can be mounted.

The disclosure generally provides a sound dampening device and system.The device can include a tile body and one or more feet attached to aside of the tile body. The system can include the sound dampening deviceand a mounting surface.

The tile body can generally have a three-dimensional disc shape, such asa circular disc, triangular disc, rectangular disc, square disk, or anypolygonal disc shape. In aspects, the tile body can be formed of a sounddampening material that can be an acoustic foam, a mass-loaded vinyl, amineral wool, a compressed polyester, a soundproofing glue compound, asoundproofing fabric, an acoustic plaster, a fiberglass, or combinationsthereof. The disc shape of the tile body is such that the tile body canhave a first side parallel to a second side, with a perimeter wallextending between the two sides and that forms the thickness of the tilebody. The two sides of the tile body can each have the samecross-sectional shape, and each side has a length that is greater thanthat of the thickness of the tile body. Exemplary dimensions of the tilebody can include i) a thickness of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 mm, in combination with ii) a length of eachof the sides in a range of from about 1 cm to about 3 m; alternatively,from about 1 cm to about 1 m; alternatively, from about 1 cm to about10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 cm.

The first side of the tile body is configured to face a mountingsurface. The second (opposite) side of the tile body is configured toface away from the mounting surface and toward the space in which thesound dampening device is used.

The one or more feet can be attached to the first side that isconfigured to face the mounting surface such that the one or more feetalso face the mounting surface. The one or more feet can be formed ofthe same sound dampening material from which the tile body is formed. Insome embodiments, the one or more feet can have the same thickness asthe tile body; alternatively, the one or more feet can have a thicknessgreater than the thickness of the tile body; alternatively, the one ormore feet can have a thickness less than the thickness of the tile body.The one or more feet can be embodied as a single perimeter foot that isattached to an outer portion of the side of the tile body that faces themounting surface. Alternatively, the one or more feet can be embodied astwo or more separate feet placed on the side of the tile body that facesthe mounting surface (e.g., equally or unequally spaced around theperimeter of the outer portion of the side of the tile body). Inaspects, a portion of the side of the tile body is not covered by thefoot or feet, and the foot or feet can have a thickness such that an airgap is formed between the portion of the tile body that is not coveredby the feet and the mounting surface.

The tile body can be configured to mount to a mounting surface via theone or more feet such that the side of the tile body is parallel to themounting surface. Each of the one or more feet can have a thicknessconfigured to provide an air gap between the mounting surface and aportion of the side of the tile body.

The sound dampening device can be configured to dampen, absorb, ordampen and absorb sound waves that collide with the side of the tilebody that faces the space is in which the device is mounted. The devicecan be used in recording studios, offices, schools, apartments,hospitals, or other rooms and buildings where a noise control isdesired.

The sound dampening device can be attached to any suitable mountingsurface including, but not limited to, walls, ceilings, partitions,doors, and windows. The sound dampening device can generally have acontour that matches the contour of the mounting surface (e.g.,flat-flat, curved-curved). The sound dampening device can be attached tothe mounting surface using a connecting device, such as a screw, bolt,adhesive, hook, nail, anchor, or combinations thereof. The connectingdevice embodied as a screw, bolt, hook, nail, or anchor can pass throughthe one or more feet (e.g., at least one screw per foot) and theportion(s) of the tile body to which the one or more feet are connected.To the extent that a hole is formed in the second side of the tile bodyso that a connecting device can pass through the tile body, plugs can beplaced in the hole to cover the connecting device and maintain acontinuous surface of the sound dampening material on the second side ofthe sound dampening device.

Some embodiments of the sound dampening device can also comprise a noisegenerator attached to the side of the tile body that faces the mountingsurface. The noise generator can be configured to generate sound wavesin a direction that is away from the mounting surface (e.g., waves cantravel into the side of the tile body, through the tile body, and out ofthe opposite (second) side of the tile body. In some embodiments, thenoise generator is a white noise generator. In some embodiments, thenoise generator is a vibrating transducer configured to generate soundwaves (e.g., white noise sound waves) at an ambient noise level of aspace in which the sound dampening device is mounted. The noisegenerator can be battery powered, have a wired power connection, orcombinations thereof.

FIG. 1 depicts perspective views of the front and back of a sounddampening device 10 according to the disclosure. The front view ofillustrates the sound dampening device 10 placed against the mountingsurface 160. The sound dampening device 10 has a tile body 100 and threefeet 110 attached to a side 150 of the tile body 100. The feet 110 canbe seen as attached to an outer portion 153 (e.g., along the perimeter)of the second (opposite) side 151 of the tile body 100. It iscontemplated that feet 110 can alternatively be located closer to acenter of the side 150 of the tile body 100. The sound dampening device10 may be mounted to a mounting surface via the three feet 110 such thatside 150 faces the mounting surface 160 and the opposite (second) side151 faces away from the mounting surface 160.

In the embodiment of the sound dampening device 10 depicted in FIG. 1 ,the tile body 100 is a hexagon-shaped disc having a first side 150 and asecond side 151, each side 150 and 151 having a width that is greaterthan a thickness of perimeter wall 140. The tile body 100 has three feet110 attached to the first side 150 of the tile body 100; although, moreor fewer feet can be included. As can be seen, the feet 110 are spacedapart on the side 150 of the tile body 100. The shape of the feet 110 isalso hexagonal-shaped discs; although, the feet can have any shape. InFIG. 1 , the feet 110 have the same thickness as the perimeter wall 140of the tile body 100. The tile body 100 and the feet 110 can be made ofany one or combination of sound dampening materials as described above,where the tile body 100 and the feet 110 are made of the same sounddampening material or same combination of sound dampening materials.

The bottom of the feet 110 can be placed on the mounting surface 160such that an air gap 170 is formed between the mounting surface 160 anda portion 152 of the side 150 of the tile body 100 that is not coveredby the feet 110. As the feet 110 are the same thickness as the perimeterwall 140 of the tile body 100, the air gap 170 is the same thickness asthe tile body 100.

In FIG. 1 , the sound dampening device 10 can be mounted to the mountingsurface 160 by screws 120. It is contemplated that the sound dampeningdevice 10 can be mounted using any other connecting device describedherein. As can be seen, the screws 120 can mount the sound dampeningdevice 10 to the mounting surface 160 through holes 101 formed in thetile body 100 and the feet 110. A plug 130 of the sound dampeningmaterial can be placed over the head of the screws 120 so that the side151 of the tile body 100 has a continuous surface of sound dampeningmaterial.

It is contemplated that the feet 110 of the sound dampening device 10can be alternatively embodied as a single foot having a thickness thatis the same as feet 110 and that is attached to the outer portion 153 ofthe side 150 of the tile body 100.

FIG. 2 depicts perspective views of the front and back of an alternativeembodiment of a sound dampening device 20 according to the disclosure.The sound dampening device 20 can comprise the tile body 100 and a foot210 attached to a side of the tile body 100. The sound dampening device20 may be mounted to a mounting surface (e.g., mounting surface 160 ofFIG. 1 ) through screws 120.

In the embodiment of the sound dampening device 20 depicted in FIG. 2 ,the foot 210 is a single foot that extends the perimeter of the tilebody 100. The one connected foot 210 can act in the same manner as theone or more disconnected feet 110 in FIG. 1 . The one connected foot 210depicted in FIG. 2 is thicker than the thickness 140 of the tile body100. The thickness of the air gap formed between the side 150 of thetile body 100 and the mounting surface is greater than the thickness ofthe air gap 170 formed in FIG. 1 because the thickness of the singlefoot 210 is greater than the thickness of the feet 110. While the oneconnected foot 210 can be thicker than the thickness 140 of the tilebody 100, it still creates an air gap that improves sound dampening whencompared to using no air gap.

The sound dampening device 20 can be mounted to the mounting surface byscrews 120. The screws 120 can extend through the tile body 100 andportions of the foot 210, into the mounting surface (e.g., mountingsurface 160). Plugs 130 can be used in the same manner as described inthe description for FIG. 1 . When the one connected foot 210 is mountedto the mounting surface the tile body 100 can be parallel to themounting surface forming an air gap between the mounting surface and aportion of the side 150 of the tile body 100. The portion of the side150 of the tile body can be all of the side of the tile body that is notcovered by the one connected foot 210. The air gap that is formedbetween the mounting surface and a portion of the side 150 of the tilebody 100 provides added sound dampening to the sound dampening device20.

It is contemplated that the foot 210 of the sound dampening device 20can be alternatively embodied as multiple separate feet having athickness that is the same as foot 210 and that is attached to the outerportion 153 of the side 150 of the tile body 100.

FIG. 3 depicts perspective views of the front and back of anotheralternative embodiment of a sound dampening device 30 according to thedisclosure. The sound dampening device 30 can comprise the tile body 100and foot 210 as described for the sound dampening device 20 in FIG. 2 .It is contemplated that the sound dampening device 30 can also includemultiple feet such as feet 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 , having athickness that is illustrated and discussed for foot 210 in FIGS. 2 and3 . The sound dampening device 30 can also have a noise generator 300attached to the side 150 of the tile body 100.

In embodiments, the foot 210 can be have a thickness configured to allowthe sound dampening device 30 to accommodate the thickness of the noisegenerator 300 that is attached to the side 150 of the tile body 100. Itis contemplated that the foot 210 of the sound dampening device 30 canbe alternatively embodied as multiple separate feet having a thicknessthat is the same as foot 210 and that is attached to the outer portion153 of the side 150 of the tile body 100.

The noise generator 300 may help produce noise in the space that thesound dampening device 30 is located. It has been found that the ambientnoise level in a space in which the sound dampening device 30 can beused is around or about 45 dBA (e.g., 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, or 55 dBA). The noise generator 300 can beconfigured to emit sound waves at the ambient noise level in a directionthat is away from the mounting surface (e.g., mounting surface 160 inFIG. 1 ). The noise generator 300 can be configured to emit sound wavessuch that the sound waves enter the side 150 of the tile body 100 andexit the opposite side 151 of the tile body 100. The noise generator 300can be battery powered, have a wired connection, or a combinationthereof. Embodiments of the noise generator 30 can be configured to emitsound waves at an ambient noise level of a space, e.g., around or about45 dBA. In embodiments, prior to installation of the sound dampeningdevice 30, the noise generator 300 can be customized to emit at aspecific decibel level and frequency unique to the space (e.g., room orbuilding) that the sound dampening device 30 is placed. The noisegenerator 300 can also feature a controller that allows a user to changethe decibel level and frequency at any given time. The noise generator300 can be a white noise generator, pink noise generator, brown noisegenerator, vibrating transducer for noise generation, or combinationsthereof.

In some embodiments, the noise generator 300 can include a sensor thatsenses the ambient noise level in the space where the device 30 islocated. The sensor can send a signal to a controller in the noisegenerator 300 that can be configured to adjust the generated noise tomatch the ambient noise level in the space. For example, the ambientnoise level of an empty ballroom may be 45 dBA before guests arrive andhigher (e.g., 47 dBA) after guests arrive. It is contemplated thatembodiments of the noise generator 300 can sense the increase in ambientnoise level and increase the output sound waves (e.g., generated noise)to match the new ambient noise level. The noise generator 300 can beconfigured to sense the ambient noise at periodic intervals and toadjust the output noise in response to the sensed ambient noise.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a sound dampening system having the sounddampening device 10 connected or attached to the mounting surface 160.It is contemplated that FIGS. 2 and 3 also disclose sound dampeningsystem such that the sound dampening device 20 of FIG. 2 can beconnected or attached to the mounting surface 160 and the sounddampening device 30 of FIG. 3 can be connected or attached to themounting surface 160.

In aspects of the sound dampening devices 10, 20, and 30, the tile body100 can have a thickness in the range of about 9 mm to about 18 mm(e.g., 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 mm), and the feet110/210 can have a thickness in the range of about 9 mm to about 18 mm(e.g., 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 mm).

The ratio of the thickness of the one or more feet 110 to the thicknessof the tile body 100 is 1:1 in FIG. 1 and 2:1 in FIGS. 2 and 3 ; and itis contemplated that the ratio of thicknesses can be in the range of0.1:1 to 10:1; alternatively, 0.5:1 to 4:1.

The ratio of the surface area of the one or more feet 110/210 to thesurface are of the portion 152 of the side 150 of the tile body 100 thatis not covered by the feet 110/210 can be in the range of from 0.1:1 to10:1; alternatively, from 1:10 to 1:2 so as to provide an air gap of asize to increase the efficacy of sound dampening.

EXAMPLES

Embodiments of the sound dampening device are further illustrated by thefollowing examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposinglimitations to the scope of this invention. Various other aspects,embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after readingthe description herein, can suggest themselves to one of ordinary skillin the art.

For Examples 1-2 and 4-5, the decay rate of sound (which is directlyrelated to sound absorption) was measured upon terminating asteady-state broadband pink noise signal in the 408-m³ reverberationchamber. Ten (10) ensemble averages containing twenty (20) decays eachwere measured with both the test specimen inside of and removed from thechamber. These decays were averaged using linear averaging algorithm andanalyzed using ASTM C423-09a required methods to determine theabsorption present in the reverberation chamber. The difference betweenthese two (1) sound absorption tests (with and without the testspecimen) at a given frequency was defined as the sound absorption ofthe specimen. The Sound Absorption Coefficient was the sound absorptionper unit area of the test specimen. Sound Absorption Average (SAA) wasthe average of sound absorption coefficients for twelve (12) one-thirdoctaves with mid-band frequencies from 200 Hz through 2500 Hz inclusive.Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) was a four-frequency average of theSound Absorption Coefficient. Measurements were made in one-thirdoctaves with mid-band frequencies from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz.

For Example 3, the decay rate of sound (which is directly related tosound absorption) was measured upon terminating a steady-state broadbandpink noise signal in the 292-m3 reverberation chamber. Ensemble averagescontaining eighty (80) decays each were measured with both the testspecimen inside of and removed from the chamber. These decays wereaveraged using linear averaging algorithm and analyzed using ASTMC423-17 required methods to determine the absorption present in thereverberation chamber. The difference between these two (1) soundabsorption tests (with and without the test specimen) at a givenfrequency was defined as the sound absorption of the specimen. The SoundAbsorption Coefficient was the sound absorption per unit area of thetest specimen. Sound Absorption Average (SAA) was the average of soundabsorption coefficients for twelve (12) one-third octaves with mid-bandfrequencies from 200 Hz through 2500 Hz inclusive. Noise ReductionCoefficient (NRC) was a four-frequency average of the Sound AbsorptionCoefficient. Measurements were made in one-third octaves with mid-bandfrequencies from 100 Hz to 5000 Hz, rounded to the nearest 0.05.

Comparative Example 1

Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen havingnominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 9 mm inthickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ⅜ inch]. The test specimen wascomposed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted onthe specimen.

The surface area of the specimen was 6.7 square meters [72 square feet].The weight of the test specimen was measured as 11.6 kg [25.5 pounds],giving a weight per unit area of 1.7 kg/m² [0.35 pounds/ft²].

The specimen was tested in a Type A Mounting. No air gap was usedbetween the specimen and the mounting surface. Edges of the testspecimen were flashed with sheet metal and were taped to theReverberation room floor as the mounting surface. Metal tape sealed thespecimen perimeter to the sheet metal flashing. Interior joints of thespecimen were not taped/sealed.

Measured Sound Absorption [in units of area] and Sound AbsorptionCoefficients of the test specimen were reported in one-third octaveswith mid-band frequencies from 100 to 5,000 Hz. These data points areprovided in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 One-third Octave Mid- Sound Absorption Sound Absorption bandFrequencies (Hz) (m²) Coefficient 100 0.21 0.03 125 0.06 0.01 160 0.050.01 200 0.34 0.05 250 0.23 0.03 315 0.37 0.06 400 0.52 0.08 500 0.930.14 630 1.36 0.20 800 1.98 0.30 1000 2.72 0.41 1250 3.56 0.53 1600 4.010.60 2000 4.45 0.67 2500 5.07 0.76 3150 5.41 0.81 4000 5.87 0.88 50006.39 0.96

The Sound Absorption Average of the values in the chart was 0.32. TheNoise Reduction Coefficient determined by the Sound AbsorptionCoefficients was 0.30.

Comparative Example 2

Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen havingnominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 18 mmin thickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ¾ inch]. The specimen wascomposed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted onthe specimen.

One (1) layer of tile bodies was placed side-by-side and abutted on theReverberation chamber floor (the mounting surface) to make the finalassembled plan area. A second layer of tile bodies was placed of thefirst layer of tile bodies with underlying seams staggered. The finalassembled test specimen had a weight of 24.4 kg [53.7 pounds].

The test specimen was tested in a Type A Mounting. No air gap was usedbetween the specimen and the mounting surface. Edges of the testspecimen were flashed with sheet metal to restrict sound absorption toone face of the specimen. The sheet metal slashings were duct taped tothe Reverberation chamber floor. Metal tape was used to seal the topsurface of the specimen to the flashings along the long straight paneledges. Interior seams of the test specimen facing the sound field werenot taped.

Measured Sound Absorption [in units of area] and Sound AbsorptionCoefficients of the test specimen at the preferred one0third octavemid-band frequencies are provided in Table 2.

TABLE 2 One-third Octave Mid- Sound Absorption Sound Absorption bandFrequency (Hz) (m²) Coefficient 100 0.00 0.00 125 0.42 0.06 160 0.610.09 200 0.58 0.09 250 0.95 0.14 315 1.60 0.24 400 2.23 0.33 500 3.360.50 630 4.32 0.65 800 5.21 0.78 1000 5.98 0.89 1250 6.36 0.95 1600 6.410.96 2000 6.57 0.98 2500 6.75 1.01 3150 6.54 0.98 4000 6.53 0.98 50006.40 0.96

The Sound Absorption Average for the specimen was 0.63. The NoiseReduction Coefficient for the specimen was determined to be 0.65.

Example 3

Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen havingnominal dimensions of 2,740 mm in width by 2,440 mm in length by 18 mmin thickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ⅜ inch]. The test specimen wascomposed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted onthe specimen. The surface area of the specimen was 6.7 square meters [72square feet]. The weight of the test specimen was measured as 14.06 kg[31.0 pounds], giving a weight per unit area of 2.1 kg/m² [0.43pounds/ft²].

The test specimen was tested in a Type F Mounting. A 9 mm air gap wascreated using feet formed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. Edgeswere not sealed, and interior joints of the specimen were nottaped/sealed.

Measured Sound Absorption (in units of area) and Sound AbsorptionCoefficients of the test specimen are reported in one-third octaves withmid-band frequencies from 100 to 5000 Hz. This data is presented inTable 3.

TABLE 3 One-third Octave Mid- Sound Absorption Sound Absorption bandFrequency (Hz) (m²) Coefficient 100 0.02 0.00 125 0.44 0.07 160 0.080.01 200 0.49 0.07 250 0.45 0.07 315 0.67 0.10 400 0.92 0.14 500 1.570.24 630 2.36 0.35 800 3.17 0.47 1000 4.06 0.61 1250 4.88 0.73 1600 5.860.88 2000 6.62 0.99 2500 7.18 1.07 3150 7.28 1.09 4000 7.32 1.09 50007.48 1.12

The Sound Absorption Average (SAA) of the specimen was 0.48. The NoiseReduction Coefficient (NRC) of the specimen was calculated to be 0.50.

The specimen in Example 3 was the same thickness as the specimen inExample 1; however, the specimen in Example 3 had a 9 mm air gap whilethe specimen in Example 1 had no air gap. Presence of the 9 mm air gapresulted in the SAA and NRC of the specimen in Example 3 (SAA=0.48 andNRC=0.50) being greater than the SAA and NRC of Comparative Example 1(SAA=0.32 and NRC=0.30).

The thickness of the specimen (9 mm) and the air gap (9 mm) in Example 3was a total sound absorption thickness of 18 mm. The total thickness ofthe specimen in Example 2 with no air gap was 18 mm (18 mm of solidfelt). Compared with Comparative Example 2, the specimen of Example 3had a lower SAA and NRC (SAA=0.48 and NRC=0.50) compared with that ofExample 2 (SAA=0.63 and NRC=0.65). This shows that the additional 9 mmfelt material was better at sound absorption than the additional 9 mmair gap; however, not much better. Thus, it was determined that havingan air gap in combination with a thickness of sound dampening materialis feasible and effective for sound absorption and dampening, as well ascost-effective. Moreover, having feet made of the same material as thetile body and that help form the air gap provides effective soundabsorption and dampening and also provides space for incorporating anoise generator in the air gap.

Based on the results of Example 3, it is believed that placing an airgap between the specimen of Example 2 and the mounting surface wouldresults in an increase in the SAA and NRC, both for a 9 mm air gap andan 18 mm air gap.

Example 4

Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen havingnominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 9 mm inthickness [108 inches by 96 inches by ⅜ inch]. The test specimen wascomposed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted onthe specimen. The surface area of the specimen was 6.7 square meters [72square feet]. The weight of the test specimen was measured as 11.6 kg[25.5 pounds], giving a weight per unit area of 1.7 kg/m² [0.35pounds/ft²].

The test specimen was tested in a Type D50 Mounting. A 50 mm air gap wascreated using feet formed of combinations of small wooden and plasticspacers. Edges of the test specimen were flashed with sheet metal andwere taped to the Reverberation room floor. Metal tape sealed thespecimen perimeter to the sheet metal flashing. Interior joints of thespecimen were not taped/sealed.

Measured Sound Absorption (in units of area) and Sound AbsorptionCoefficients of the test specimen are reported in one-third octaves withmid-band frequencies from 100 to 5000 Hz. This data is presented inTable 4.

TABLE 4 One-third Octave Mid- Sound Absorption Sound Absorption bandFrequency (Hz) (m²) Coefficient 100 0.95 0.14 125 0.78 0.12 160 0.830.12 200 1.16 0.17 250 1.45 0.22 315 2.26 0.34 400 3.06 0.46 500 4.040.60 630 5.14 0.77 800 5.85 0.88 1000 6.62 0.99 1250 6.80 1.02 1600 6.821.02 2000 6.62 0.99 2500 6.29 0.94 3150 5.40 0.81 4000 5.76 0.86 50006.34 0.95

The Sound Absorption Average (SAA) of the specimen was 0.70. The NoiseReduction Coefficient (NRC) of the specimen was calculated to be 0.70.The specimen in Example 4 was the same thickness as the specimen inExample 1, but the SAA and NRC of the specimen in Example 4 are morethan double. It is believed that the 50 mm air gap contributed to thehigher SAA and NRC values for Example 4, and when compared with Example1 and Example 3, shows that an increase in air gap distance doesincrease the SAA and NRC of the sound dampening device.

Example 5

Multiple tile bodies were assembled to form a test specimen havingnominal dimensions of 2,743 mm in width by 2,438 mm in length by 18 mmin depth [108 inches by 96 inches by ¾ inch]. The test specimen wascomposed of 100% polyester fiber acoustic felt. No coating was noted onthe specimen.

One (1) layer of tile bodies was placed side-by-side and abutted 50 mmabove the Reverberation chamber floor (the mounting surface) on spacersto make the final assembled plan area. A second layer tile bodies wereplaced over the first layer with underlying seams staggered. The finalassembled test specimen weighed 24.4 kg [53.7 pounds].

The test specimen was tested in a Type D50 Mounting. A 50 mm air gap wascreated using feet formed of combinations of small wooden and plasticspacers. Edges of the test specimen were flashed with sheet metal torestrict sound absorption to one face of the specimen. The sheet metalflashings were duct taped to the Reverberation chamber floor. Metal tapewas used to seal the top surface of the specimen to the flashings alongthe long straight panel edges. Interior seams of the test specimenfacing the sound field were not taped.

Measured Sound Absorption (in units of area) and Sound AbsorptionCoefficients of the test specimen at the preferred one-third octavemid-band frequencies are provided in Table 5.

TABLE 5 One-third Octave Mid- Sound Absorption Sound Absorption bandFrequency (Hz) (m²) Coefficient 100 0.63 0.09 125 1.45 0.22 160 2.360.35 200 2.41 0.36 250 3.22 0.48 315 4.37 0.65 400 5.04 0.75 500 6.030.90 630 6.65 0.99 800 7.07 1.06 1000 7.11 1.06 1250 6.96 1.04 1600 6.590.99 2000 6.25 0.93 2500 6.23 0.93 3150 6.15 0.92 4000 6.25 0.93 50006.25 0.93

The Sound Absorption Average (SAA) of the specimen was 0.85. The NoiseReduction Coefficient (NRC) of the specimen was calculated to be 0.85.Similar to Example 4, the air gap present in Example 5 has provided asignificant improvement over a test specimen of the same thickness withno air gap (e.g., Comparative Example 2). The test specimen inComparative Example 2 had a thickness of 18 mm and was secured directlyto the mounting surface without an air gap. The specimen in Example 5similarly had a thickness of 18 mm had an air gap of 50. The specimen inComparative Example 2 did not perform as well as Example 5, with an SAA(0.63 and 0.85 respectively) and NRC (0.65 and 0.85 respectively). It isbelieved that the 50 mm air gap contributed to the higher SAA and NRCvalues for Example 5, and when compared with Example 2, shows that anincrease in air gap distance does increase the SAA and NRC of the sounddampening device.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developedthat perform substantially the same function or achieve substantiallythe same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appendedclaims are intended to include within their scope such processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sound dampening device comprising: a tile bodyformed of a sound dampening material; and one or more feet attached to aside of the tile body, wherein the one or more feet are formed of thesound dampening material; wherein the tile body is configured to mountto a mounting surface via the one or more feet such that the side of thetile body is parallel to the mounting surface, and wherein each of theone or more feet has a thickness configured to provide an air gapbetween the mounting surface and a portion of the side of the tile body.2. The sound dampening device of claim 1, configured to mount to themounting surface via the one or more feet.
 3. The sound dampening deviceof claim 1, wherein the one or more feet is a continuous foot extendingalong the perimeter of the tile body.
 4. The sound dampening device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more feet is a plurality of feet, whereinthe plurality of feet are spaced apart from one another on the side ofthe tile body.
 5. The sound dampening device of claim 1, furthercomprising a noise generator connected to the side of the tile body. 6.The sound dampening device of claim 5, wherein the noise generator isconfigured to emit sound waves in a direction i) such that the soundwaves enter the side of the tile body and exit an opposite side of thetile body, or ii) away from the mounting surface.
 7. The sound dampeningdevice of claim 6, wherein the noise generator is a white noisegenerator configured to emit the sounds waves at an ambient noise level.8. The sound dampening device of claim 7, wherein ambient noise level isabout 45 dBA.
 9. The sound dampening device of claim 1, wherein thesound dampening material comprises acoustic foam, mass-loaded vinyl,mineral wool, compressed polyester, soundproofing glue compounds,soundproof fabrics, acoustic plaster, or fiberglass.
 10. The sounddampening device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the tile body is ina range from about 9 mm to about 18 mm, and wherein the thickness of theone or more feet is in a range from about 9 mm to about 18 mm.
 11. Thesound dampening device of claim 1, wherein the mounting surfacecomprises a wall, a ceiling, a window, a door, or a partition.
 12. Thesound dampening device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the surface areaof the one or more feet to the surface area of the portion of the sideof the tile body is in a range of from 0.1:1 to 10:1.
 13. The sounddampening device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the thickness of the oneor more feet to a thickness of the tile body is in a range of from 0.1:1to 10:1.
 14. The sound dampening device of claim 1, where the tile bodyhas one or more channels and depressions formed in a side of the tileopposite of the side of the panel the one or more feet are attached to.15. A sound dampening system comprising: a mounting surface; and a sounddampening device comprising a tile body and one or more feet attached toa side of the tile body, wherein the tile body is configured to mount tothe mounting surface via the one or more feet such that the side of thetile body is parallel to the mounting surface, and wherein each of theone or more feet has a thickness configured to provide an air gapbetween the mounting surface and a portion of the side of the tile body.16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a noise generatorconnected to the side of the tile body, wherein the noise generator isconfigured to emit sound waves in a direction i) such that the soundwaves enter the side of the tile body and exit an opposite side of thetile body, or ii) away from the mounting surface.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the mounting surface comprises a wall, a ceiling, awindow, or a partition in a structure or building.
 18. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the sound dampening material comprises acoustic foam,mass-loaded vinyl, mineral wool, compressed polyester, soundproofingglue compounds, soundproof fabrics, acoustic plaster, or fiberglass. 19.The system of claim 15, wherein the sound dampening system is mounted tothe mounting surface using screw, bolts, adhesive, hooks, nails, oranchors.
 20. The system of claim 15, further comprising: additionalsound dampening devices attached to the mounting surface.